Today’s top stories: Over 11,800 seniors must correct property tax freeze applications, Robin Restaurant makes The New York Times’ top list, tech firms eyed for downtown’s revival, and St. Louis City Port Authority advances Jefferson Arms redevelopment. Plus: YMCA upgrades, MetroMarket expansion, and more local highlights.

MAIN STORY

Thousands of Senior Tax Forms Incomplete

Thousands of senior homeowners in St. Louis County must complete missing information on property tax freeze applications after over 11,800 submissions lacked signatures or required documents, county officials announced this week.

More than 81,000 applications were filed by the June 30 deadline; however, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page reported that 5,800 were duplicates and 11,800 were incomplete forms. Seniors with incomplete filings have received phone calls and emails, but many prefer to receive them via mail. The Department of Revenue will send postcards next week to notify affected applicants. Seniors and their families can check application status on the county website and seek in-person help at government office locations.

The deadline for correcting and completing property tax freeze applications is September 30. County officials urge seniors to respond quickly to maintain their eligibility.

AROUND TOWN

St. Louis City Port Authority approved a new port improvement district for the Jefferson Arms redevelopment on Thursday, moving the project toward implementing the city's highest sales tax rate. Dallas-based developer Alterra Worldwide now seeks approval for two additional districts—a community improvement district and a transportation development district—each adding 1 percent to purchases, which would total a combined rate of 12.67 percent if passed. Several commissioners, including Ward 3 Alderman Shane Cohn, opposed the measure, questioning the necessity for further tax incentives on an almost-completed project. City officials cited the need to attract investment for downtown revitalization as a key justification. Project openings for apartments, hotel, and retail are set to begin late 2024 and continue through early 2026.

St. Louis-based minority-owned firm KAI completed a $9 million expansion and renovation of the Chesterfield YMCA. The updated facility at 16464 Burkhardt Place debuted on August 13 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring an 11,000-square-foot addition, fitness studios, updated child care facilities, and an upgraded lobby to enhance accessibility and community programs. KAI led project management, architecture, and design for the improvements, a milestone for the Kennedy family business. Learn more about the Chesterfield YMCA’s upgrades here.

Operation Food Search’s MetroMarket will expand its mobile farmers market into East St. Louis on Friday. The new stop, launched in partnership with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, Nutrition Innovation Center, marks the program’s first official Illinois location. MetroMarket trucks will offer fresh produce at a below-cost price from 4-6 p.m. each week, accepting SNAP and other forms of payment. Program organizers view mobile markets as a long-term strategy amid persistent food deserts and challenges faced by grocery chains.

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Robin Restaurant Among Nation's Best

Robin Restaurant in St. Louis has been named one of America's best restaurants by The New York Times, according to a recent feature from Feast Magazine. The recognition places Robin Restaurant among the nation's top dining destinations in 2024.

The annual Times list highlights innovative dining, culinary diversity, and standout local restaurants nationwide. St. Louis continues to gain attention for its vibrant food scene, with other local favorites, such as Louie and Expat BBQ, also making headlines for their unique spins on global cuisine.

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Tech Companies Eye Downtown

St. Louis leaders view the growing tech sector as essential to downtown revitalization, with boosters promoting technology companies as key new tenants. Efforts are underway to attract startups and established firms alike to the neighborhood.

Advocates argue that tech company investments could help reverse years of population and economic decline in the central business district. Some experts caution that a broader strategy, addressing housing and infrastructure, will be needed to sustain downtown’s recovery. Read more about downtown’s tech ambitions in this detailed local report.

QUICK HITS

Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout tour packed Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Sunday night, with El DeBarge, K-Ci Hailey, Babyface, and Charlie Wilson bringing decades of R&B hits and energetic performances to a lively St. Louis crowd.

Great Rivers Greenway celebrates 25 years of expanding the St. Louis region’s trail network to 140 miles and 3 million annual visitors, with milestone projects including the Brickline Greenway and upcoming community events through 2025.

Operation Any Means Necessary helped the Sanders family restore their tornado-damaged Ville home from a red-tag danger to a yellow-tag safe as they work toward a full return by year’s end.

Favron brothers were evicted from their longtime Shaw residence under Missouri’s new expedited eviction law before a judge ordered their return, raising questions about the law’s impact on legitimate occupants and due process.

Ovarian cancer disparities in Missouri are widening, as Black women face higher rates of late-stage diagnosis and lower survival, prompting new statewide awareness efforts led by St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness and lawmakers.